Getting Support During an MBA

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TopMBA.com asks some of the world’s top business schools for their advice on where students can turn for help and support during their MBA studies.

“Students have to manage the critical elements, which are family and work,” says Professor Paul Dainty, deputy dean, academic and associate dean of teaching and learning at Melbourne Business School in Australia.

“Quite often, people will say to their friends or family, ‘I’m going to do this MBA’, and then get caught up in the school work and find the last conversation they had was six months ago. They should be having regular discussions with people who are critical to them throughout the program, not just at the start.”

Deciding to pursue an MBA degree may seem like an individual pursuit. After all, it’s your choice whether or not you apply to a program. But as soon as you decide to embark on the MBA experience, you’re taking others along for the ride. Family members, friends, colleagues, employers – they will all become a part of your MBA journey.

MBA vs. family

“You’ve got to spend time with them,” says Professor Dainty. “More importantly, little Johnny or Sally doesn’t understand what mummy or daddy is doing. There’s nothing you can say to younger children that will make them feel better - you just have to spend quality time with them.”

After commencing your MBA program, you may soon find you are spending more time in the classroom than you are at home. At Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School in Belgium, full-time MBA students have daily classes from 9am until 5.30pm. “Apart from these classes, students often have group assignments to do as well,” the school’s spokesperson says. “Keep in mind that you will have to use your free time in the evening for such tasks, so make sure friends and family are aware of this before you enrol.”

With significant amounts of time spent away from home, it is only natural for things – such as housework – to get a little less attention. The MBA is a relatively short commitment for a long-term investment, but that doesn’t mean you need to live like a slob.

“Things like getting a cleaner can help,” advises Professor Dainty. “Candidates shouldn’t hesitate to get external help if they can.”

Post-MBA support

Candidates at HEC Paris are encouraged to not only share their MBA experience with family and friends, but to involve them in it, as and when is possible.

Bernard Garrette, associate dean for the HEC Paris MBA program says: “It’s hugely important to involve your partner or significant other in the decision process when deciding whether to undertake an MBA. You need to seek to ensure that they are not just on-board with the decision, but they also are willing to share aspects of the project with you.

“It’s also important that your partner, friends and family, support the fact that your life is likely to change. Not just for the period during the program – where you will be working very hard - but also after graduation where your career, location, and life motivations may be different. Sometimes this is not communicated or understood and it is very important.”

MBA vs. friends

One of the most rewarding aspects about an MBA is the network of ambitious professionals you gain in the business school classroom and beyond. Meeting like-minded individuals will inevitably broaden your network of business associates and friends. But remember there is life outside of the classroom as well, with friendships that need to be fostered throughout your studies.

“Those who haven’t got family presumably have a social life or partners, or both,” says Professor Dainty. “You have to be very careful to maintain those relationships. If you put people on hold for three years, they don’t suddenly pop up again.”

However, the business school network is an important one, and if fostered well, can potentially provide just as much value as the MBA itself.

“For foreign students in particular, their fellow classmates are often their only social network – so looking for support from them during the year is important whilst away from home,” says Vlerick’s spokesperson. “Although, be aware of the fact that there will be ups and downs and that these are the people you have to collaborate with on group assignments. It can be a bit claustrophobic at times, but others will feel the same and it is important to lean on each other when the going gets tough.”